Thank you for joining me, as the world is grappling with the lack of control over the Coronavirus pandemic. I simply want to make this resource available to you to help equip you in your spiritual growth and relationship with God. This is a time where we can come together as a community and care for one another in different ways. Pray for our government leaders, health care workers, and any of those who are sick during this time.
Let’s dive into this message I have for you today.
Have you ever taken a personality test? Many people have. There are many different kinds of personality tests out there. There is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the DISC assessment, the Enneagram and countless others. I’m sure many of you have taken these types of tests to help characterize people and help people to understand themselves and others better. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of them because of the way they characterize people. Sometimes I feel like they can put people in boxes. Even terms like extrovert and introvert can be used as excuses for why we act a certain way. Sometimes I’m extroverted and sometimes I’m introverted, I think that most people are that way. I try not to characterize myself or others too much into those categories.
Why am I talking about personality tests and characterizations? Today we are looking at Luke 9 as we continue asking this question about who Jesus is? We’ve been looking at Jesus as King. Jesus as a great teacher, teaching the Kingdom of God. Jesus as King over nature. Jesus as King over the spiritual realm. Jesus is our provider as followers of Jesus. We see Jesus as ruler and as King over all these things. He reveals himself this way to his disciples. In Luke chapter 9 verse 18 it says,
“Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
So, he is asking how do the crowds characterize me? How do the crowds see me? Verse 19 says,
“And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and other, that one of the prophets of old has risen.””
They are telling him that the crowds view him as a prophet. A prophet who was going around doing these amazing teachings and healing people. Doing these amazing signs and wonders. Maybe he is Elijah coming back from the grave, or Jeremiah, or John the Baptist coming back from the dead. John the Baptist had been beheaded by the king. Verse 20 says,
“Then he said to them “But who do you say that I am?” and Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
That is a category that is reserved for one man. That man is Jesus. Peter answers correctly! Jesus asked this question very pointedly to his disciples. “Who do you say that I am?” That is the most important question that Jesus has asked us, especially in a time when we may feel insecure.
Who do we say that Jesus is? Is Jesus simply a prophet? Is Jesus simply a good teacher? Is Jesus just some cool guy or interesting guy from history? Or is Jesus, the Christ? The word Christ, and Messiah is the same as saying King. Is Jesus your King?
People want to know who Jesus is. We see this with king Herod in a previous passage. He wanted to know who Jesus was. Jesus is revealing himself as King. Are we revealing Jesus as Christ and as King to others?
What was the role of a prophet? Prophets were known for being a spokesman for God. Many prophets were put to death because of what they spoke as God’s prophets. We have to ask the question though, to what end? None of them could actually make an actual change to the nation of Israel. They would continually point people to God. Jesus pointed people to God but he also is Christ and actually made a way for us to have a relationship with God. This act supersedes any act of a previous prophet. Jesus not only points us to God but is actually the way to God. How did he do that?
God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to earth to teach us the Kingdom of God. He went to the cross and died for us for all our sin and wrongdoing because he loves us so much. He was buried in the ground but he rose from the grave and conquered death. As we put our faith and trust in Jesus, we will also rise us up in the last day and we will have eternal life with him. Currently Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father as King.
Prayer: Lord I thank you for those who are reading this. I ask that you would grow them spiritually, encourage them, and that your Holy Spirit would empower them to serve one another during this time. I ask that you would be with the government, the health care workers, and each and every one of us as we continue to strive to live for you and continue to strive to help each other. We love you Lord and we thank you for your love and forgiveness. I ask that we would receive your forgiveness and love. That we would love you and follow after you. May you bless each one. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ.
Discussion questions for you to talk about. These are meant as a springboard to get you discussing these things.
Discuss how do you characterize yourself?
How do you characterize others?
Do you view Jesus as just a good teacher or interesting prophet or do you view Jesus as your Christ, Messiah, King and Savior?
In what ways do you see the world view Jesus as less than Christ, Messiah, King and Savior?